The most consolidated and long-awaited philanthropic event in the industry showcases the technical and creative muscle of 72 watchmakers who have put their ingenuity into 62 watches. Only Watch has become a unique showcase where brands show their audacity, experimentation and avant-garde. A consolidated appointment that in 2021 raised 30 million Swiss francs that were allocated to the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The only firm that has not yet unveiled its unique piece is Patek Philippe. Although he has anticipated what it is about: it will be a watch “as a tribute to Philippe Stern on the occasion of his 85th birthday. Thierry Stern, president of the Geneva manufacture, wants to pay tribute to his father with an exclusive limited edition watch with his favorite grand complication, which will have a new movement. It will be the first watch of a limited edition of 30 pieces, a unique version for Only Watch” . So there is absolute expectation.
NOTABLE PROTAGONISTS
Among the other proposals presented, Gérald Genta already stands out, who under the umbrella of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, has created the Unique Gérald Genta Only Watch 2023 , his iconic watch with Micky Mouse with minute repeater and jumping hours. Also notable is FP Journe with the Chronomètre Furtif Bleu , a tantalum watch equipped with the new caliber 1522 in rose gold and an enamel dial that reveals the numbers only with the reflection of light. Jacob & Co. x Concept Watch Factory has gone further with its Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension , the world’s first four-axis tourbillon watch.
Audemars Piguet presents a white ceramic skeletonized Royal Oak automatic with a tourbillon. Also notable is Tudor with the Prince Chronograph One , a 1970s-inspired yellow gold chronograph that celebrates the return of the “Big Block” Chronograph… Plus it comes with an automatic column-wheel chronograph developed and produced in-house. And Bulgari has created an Octo Finissimo Tourbillon with a DLC-treated titanium case and bracelet covered in Verde di Alpi marble.
WELL MATCHED COUPLES
Another phenomenon that is gaining more and more followers is the collaboration of brands to produce a watch. MB&F and H. Moser once again design a piece in common, but there are also other noteworthy duets: Jacob&Co x Concepto, Ludovic Ballouard x Brittany Nicole Cox, Angelus and Château Angelus, Frederique Constant and Christiaan Van Der Klaauw, Reservoir x Telos, Singer Reimagined x Genus, Petermann Bedat x Auffret or a new Czapek model powered by a Lederer movement.
Created in 2005, the event is organized under the patronage of HSH Albert II of Monaco. The 10th edition watches will be auctioned by Christie’s on Saturday, November 5 this year at Palexpo in Geneva.
All proceeds will go to the Only Foundation (formerly Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies) which works on research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other genetic diseases. Prior to the bidding, there will be a tour of the watches beginning on September 6 in Los Angeles and ending on November 5, 2023 in Geneva.
